Grayhaven
The most powerful city in the Greenwold, Grayhaven, is known as the “Jewel of the West.” This crowded, bustling, noisy city is the financial, religious, and political hub of the realm.
Though the Greenwold never unified into one province, the city of Grayhaven has long been regarded as the unofficial capital of the region. Sitting on the best bay in the region, located at the crossroads of the Greenwold, and hosting a diverse populace of races, this walled city is home to as many residents as short-term travelers. As such, overcrowding has developed into a major headache for the local aristocratic council, a group which runs the city’s affairs until its rightful leader, the young queen, comes of age. Though the city has so far avoided mass unrest, the danger from internal and external forces routinely threatens the uneasy balance within Grayhaven.
The “Jewel of the West” is an industrious port that offers the most amenities of any city in the realm. Several districts span across the city’s limits, and even extend beyond its walls. The Merchant District boasts daily bazaars and exotic luxuries, while the Hight Street District provides a home for the many artisans guilds, temples, and magical societies of the city. The shipping companies and free merchants are located along the often dangerous Waterfront District, providing a constant flow of goods and money into the city.
The ancient gray walls of the city that protect it from the monsters of the wild also limit its outward growth - leading to the crowded streets that visitors often find maddeningly busy. It also sharply delineates the city dwellers from the farmers and villagers, who live in the farms and cottages that stretch from its gates. The truly poor and disadvantaged in Grayhaven often find their way to the “sewers,” a vast network of ancient tunnels and waterways that descend deep under the city in an unmappable tangle - ruins which predate the city itself.
Grayhaven Districts
The Gates of Grayhaven
Grayhaven must be largest city you’ve ever seen – given the amount of traffic passing in and out of the gates. Even the sky is busy, as a trio of hippogriffs soar overhead. The massive barred doors are thrown open to merchants and travelers of all types, who pass through the massive walls under the watchful eye of the city guard.
The Grand Avenue
This wide, well-paved street is one of the main arteries of Grayhaven, and runs straight to the heart of the city. Knots of citizens and visitors mingle on the well-paved cobblestones, giving way for the many horses and wagons that pass by.
The Waterfront District
Old and poorly maintained buildings line the narrow roads that lead toward the waterfront. Poor shanty houses crowd into the space between run-down buildings. It’s clear that this part of town seldom shares in the rest of Grayhaven’s prosperity... or the attention of its the guards.
High Street
Wide, well-maintained roads run past rows of fancy shops and well-off homes. Everything is neat and proper, from the lamp posts to the people. You can look down on the rest of the city from here, with the exception of the castle which looms in the distance, standing on a precipice overlooking the busy harbor.
Market Square
The bustle of the streets increases ten-fold as you enter the Market Square. People of every occupation, nation and race can be counted among the throngs of food stands, merchant stalls, roving bards, town criers, pack animals and gawking bystanders. Cluttered, noisy, smelly and crowded, it offers up everything at once.
Demographics
Grayhaven is diverse and forward looking. It has a population of ~45,000 (70% human, 10% dwarf, 10% halfling, 5% elf; 5% other.
Guilds and Factions
Many of the Guilds and Factions of the Greenwold call Grayhaven their home.
Recent Developments:
Rats swarms, bearing virulent disease, have begun to spread from the sewers. Bounties of a copper coin apiece have been put on rat tails, though some would-be adventurers have reported rats of monstrous size lurking in the dark. Some in the city fear wererats are at play, though the aristocratic council have refused to take action thus far.
Streets are filled by the boisterous shouts of merchants, the creak of ships in the harbor and the rumble of carts. Wherever you go, the jingle of gold coins seems to be nearby.
The smell of fresh horse dung is mercifully blotted out by a waft of heavy incense that rolls from the open doors of a grand temple.
The wind brings the tastes of a salty sea breeze, cutting through the acrid smoke and fumes of the tanners, smiths, and magewrights who crowd the street fronts.
Type
Large city
Population
45,000
Location under
Included Locations
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Reports (Secondary)
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